Prostate Cancer Survivor Stories

Living with Incontinence after Prostate Surgery

by Rick Redner, MSW, with Brenda Redner, RN

The experience with urinary
incontinence begins after a much-anticipated event – the day your catheter is removed.
I was delighted to be free from my catheter. For a brief period, it was a happy day.My celebratory mood would last a few brief hours before I experienced an emotional nosedive.
I was totally unprepared to deal with my loss of urinary control.

Jumpers, Minimizers, and Fixers

by Craig T. Pynn

Scattered among the hundreds of
thoughtful and caring responses
I received to my prostate cancer
diagnosis from my family, friends, and
colleagues, there were a few reactions
that were difficult to handle. After listening
to several people attempt to say
the right thing while assiduously avoiding
the idea of cancer itself, I sorted their
deflective responses to my bad news
into one of three categories: jumpers,
minimizers, and fixers.

Cancer’s Gift

by Jim Higley

As word of my diagnosis
spread through the various
circles in my life,
I had countless conversations with friends,
relatives, and coworkers. These were
caring conversations. Reassuring conversations.
Conversations focused on
this general belief that everything would
be OK. It seemed, somehow, that everyone
had magical powers with which to
see into the future. And what they saw
was always good.

Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Cancer

by Dawn Speckhart, PhD

Many different emotions arise after
someone is diagnosed with cancer. Like
most people with cancer, Greg wanted
to continue with life as if nothing was
wrong. He was willing to complete
necessary treatments, but minimized
everything. Most people want to play
down the impact of their cancer diagnosis
so that they don’t worry their family
and friends. In truth, this strategy is an
attempt to deny that they are worried
themselves. What this strategy really
does is leave the person with cancer to
worry alone.

Dog Time, Cancer Time

by Dana Jennings

Bijou, like all dogs, runs on
primal time. She isn’t constantly
barking on her cell and
doesn’t stay up late to catch Conan or
Letterman. She eats when she’s hungry,
drinks when she’s dry, and naps
when she’s sleepy. The absolute, very
best moment is the one that she’s inhabiting
right now. And during
and after cancer, I also came to
understand that the very best moment
is right now.

Overcoming Cancer with a Full-Court Press

by John Krejci

I don’t like the metaphor of “fighting
cancer,” or even the never-ending
“War on Cancer.” Less so, empowering
cancer by personifying it as “The
Beast.” Most people are uncomfortable
with these violent, combative modes of
dealing with this illness. Let me suggest
another metaphor, an alternative
to war and violence.

Moving On with Life after Prostate Cancer

by Gerald Murray

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine
blood test was one of the biggest shocks of my life.
At 80 years old, I’ve been retired for 10 years and
have been living the good life. Prostate cancer was something I had always heard and read about but never imagined would happen to me.

Through the Valley

by John Krejci

On my 69th birthday, I was told that my PSA was off
the chart, an almost sure sign that I had advanced prostate
cancer. Despite the relatively asymptomatic nature of
prostate cancer, I was not greatly surprised. However,
a definitive diagnosis of advanced, incurable prostate cancer
is at best a wakeup call, at worst a life threatening
judgment. My life would never be the same again.